Mary has been the Deputy Inspector General at the Department of Education Office of Inspector General since July 2008. Prior to that, she served ED/OIG as the Counsel to the Inspector General beginning in 2002 and as the Assistant Inspector General for Analysis and Inspection starting in 2000.

A native of Kansas, Mary did her undergraduate work at the University of Kansas, and then studied law at Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C. Before joining ED/OIG, Mary served as Assistant Dean at Georgetown University Law Center; law clerk for Judge Harold H. Greene on the United States District Court for the District of Columbia; and Trial Attorney, Assistant Director, and Deputy Director in the Civil Division of the Department of Justice. She was also Deputy General Counsel of the Office of Personnel Management. Mary has been recognized for her outstanding leadership and legal skills with numerous awards throughout her career, including the Attorney General's John Marshall Award for Outstanding Legal Achievement, the Navy's Medal for Meritorious Civilian Service, and the OPM Director's Citation for Exemplary Public Service.